Abyan Hospital in Eastleigh, Nairobi is under formal investigation by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) following the detention of a baby over an unpaid bill, an incident the regulator has termed unethical and unacceptable.

The Council said it had moved swiftly to transfer the child to Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital for continued care, as it begins a detailed probe into the conduct of the private facility.

“The Council, in collaboration with relevant authorities, has launched a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure that those found culpable are held accountable in accordance with the law and KMPDC’s regulatory framework,” said Chief Executive Officer David Kariuki.

The Council described the action by the hospital as a violation of medical ethics and a serious breach of trust that undermines the integrity of healthcare in the country.

“Such actions are wholly unacceptable, constitute a serious breach of trust, and undermine the integrity of Kenya’s healthcare system,” he said.

KMPDC is now seeking to establish how and why the child was held at the facility, and who was responsible. The regulator said those found to have acted outside professional conduct will face consequences.

At the same time, the Council has urged all healthcare facilities to strengthen patient protection, improve reporting mechanisms, and prioritise ethical practices.

“The detention of patients, particularly vulnerable individuals such as children, violates the principles of compassionate and professional healthcare delivery,”  Kariuki said.

The Council reiterated its commitment to upholding public confidence in the medical system and said it will not hesitate to take firm action against violations of patient rights.